BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1916, Page 5

BALKANS.

KAISER AT MSH. TIRED AND SICK. ' London, Jan. 26. The Daily Mail claims that its correspondent has accomplished one of the most remarkable journalistic achievements of the war. He has twice visited Constantinople and penetrated Asia Minor. He was one of four reporters present at the banquet King Ferdinand gave to the Kasier at Nish, which is now a vast arsenal, especially of big guns and their ammunition. All the large houses have been turned into hospitals. One munition train included numerous truck* loaded with Fokkers. - The correspondent witnessed the Kaiser's almost diminutive figure beside the massive figure of the hawk-nosed Ferdinand, who had a curious almost ducklike waddle. The Kaiser's face was that of a tired and broken man. His hair was white, though his moustache was suspiciously dark. There was an absence of the quick, nervous wheeling about which was noticeable in 1908. The Kaiser perpetually used a huge red Turkish handkerchief, which was embroidered with a star and crescent. It was necessary to assuage his continual coughing. He spent more time coughing than eating. General von Falkenhayn, the German. Comnuutder-in-Chief, attended the banquet. He is alert in movement and the personification of vigor, vivacity and virility. He is bearing well the strain of bis tremendous responsibility and looks younger than his years.

king Ferdinand: HIS 'CTTLDLTKE FIDELITY,'' Vienna, Jan. -28. Thanking the Emperor Francis Joseph for the bestowal of a Field-Marshal's baton, King Ferdinand telegraphed: "I am well-night overwhelmed at this unmerited proof of the Imperial favor. My heart is still attached with chiMDke fidelity to the saintly person of your Majesty." ' The sycophancy and extravagance of the telegram has caused much mirth inVienna. The Emperor sent »•cpnspfc'a* ©usly cold reply. 1 ' '»H ■■■'■- ' ■■'■ l; HEAVY TURKISH LOSSES. CHECK TO BDUGiBIA!®.-,„; " '■' Rome,-Jan. 2«. A wireless message states that the !i»tal recent Turkish casualties were 80.000. Esad Paßha defeated the Ealgarian vanguard at El Bassan.